As Halloween's trick-or-treaters prepare to hit the streets, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging families to take a moment for safety's sake. Parents and guardians across Illinois are advised to give the state’s sex offender registry a once-over before letting the ghosts and goblins out to collect candy. "I am encouraging parents, grandparents and guardians to keep their families safe by checking Illinois’ Sex Offender Registry before leaving home," Raoul underscored in a recent announcement. This simple act can help ensure a festive and worry-free Halloween for everyone involved.
Keeping little monsters out of harm’s way, Illinois law that firmly places child sex offenders in a bucket of not passing out Halloween candy adds an extra layer of protection. They're also barred from participating in Halloween activities where kids under 18 are in the mix. In the dark of the night, although not for verified work purposes, some on parole or probation may face further restrictions, such as having to keep their porch lights off, thereby helping them avoid the lure of the festivities outside their haunted houses.
Alarming but necessary, the roster of Illinois sex offenders includes a startling number of more than 34,000 registered individuals, with over 27,000 of those dinged for crimes against minors. This registry, overseen by the Illinois State Police, stands as a sentinel for community safety, reminding us of the lurking dangers and the constant need for vigilance. While the excitement of Halloween can carry away a little caution in the wind, a quick check can anchor down prudence.
To access the registry, families can visit the Illinois State Police website. Here, the names and addresses of registered sex offenders await, wrapped in the digital paperwork of bureaucracy. While decorating their homes with macabre embellishments, concerned adults are prompted to throw in a glance at the registry to ensure the only frights are those planned. "Searching the registry is a quick step families can take before leaving home to ensure everyone has a happy and safe Halloween," said Attorney General Raoul, hoping the night's most haunting experiences come only from the seasonal spooks, not the real-life kind.
